Naslov
Analysis of efficiency of brown bear hunting from hides at feeding sites.

Autori
Topličanec, Ira ; Stipić, Mateja ; Reljić, Slaven ; Huber, Đuro ; Sindičić, Magda

Vrsta, podvrsta i kategorija rada
Sažeci sa skupova, sažetak, ostalo

Izvornik
Book of Abstracts of the 7th International Congress Veterinary Science and Profession. / Konjević, Dean. - Zagreb : Veterinarski fakultet Sveučilišta u Zagrebu, 2017, 74-74

ISBN
978-953-8006-13-5

Skup
7th International Congress Veterinary Science and Profession.

Mjesto i datum
Zagreb, Hrvatska, 05.10.2017. - 07.10.2017

Vrsta sudjelovanja
Predavanje

Vrsta recenzije
Domaća recenzija

Ključne riječi
Brown bear ; management ; hunting ; feeding sites

Sažetak
Large carnivore management has many challenges, especially when a species is both protected by law and declared as a game animal, as is the case with the brown bear (Ursus arctos) in Croatia. The annual harvesting quota, equaling 10 - 15% of the total estimated population size, is decided each year and up to 120 bears a year are commercially hunted in Croatia. Bear hunting is performed at feeding sites from elevated hides, so we surveyed the efficiency of this hunting method. In the period from 2006 to 2015, a total of 233 questionnaires on brown bear hunting events were collected. The questionnaire consisted of 31 questions, divided into two groups. The first one included questions about the circumstances in which the bear was shot, while the second one covered the types of rifle calibers and cartridges used in the shooting. After the statistical analysis of the circumstances, the effectiveness of hunting patterns was evaluated by comparing the conditions of hunting the bears that died immediately at the shooting location (45%), the ones who fled from the shooting location (50%), and those who fled and were never found (5%). The results showed that the body mass of the bear significantly (p<0.05) influenced the efficiency of the first shot. Smaller bears (58%) fell significantly more at the first shot compared to larger and heavier bears (41%). Females (52%) were more likely to fall from the first shot than males (43%). Surprisingly, the efficiency of the first shot was greater with a distance over 50 m from the animal (56% to 41%), maybe because the hunters were able to concentrate better and were calmer. The position of the bear at the moment of firing, the location in the body where the bear was shot, and the choice of caliber had significant impacts on the effectiveness of hunting. By analyzing the collected data, we wanted to contribute to greater efficiency in hunting for the hunter’s content and for the welfare of the harvested animals. We conclude that bear hunting over bait from elevated hides ensures the required efficiency and safety, and minimizes the suffering of the animal. The alternative method of bear hunting by stalking, practiced in some countries, is probably not as efficient.

Izvorni jezik
Engleski

Znanstvena područja
Biologija, Veterinarska medicina

POVEZANOST RADA